Private Service: The Admirable Profession

Private Service: An Admirable Profession

This article was inspired by another which delved into how to manage a case of domestic theft. It dawned on me after writing the article on theft that, someone who does not know me, might conclude I am a cynic where Private Service Professionals (PSPs) are concerned. I am not; far from it.

To be clear...

I admire the gamut of Private Service Professionals – from housekeepers and laundresses to house managers and private chefs. They amaze me with their dedication, their breadth of knowledge, and their loyalty.

So, to counter the negative, this article is dedicated to some of the things I admire most about people who work for private families. I am going to keep the list to 10 traits I admire most. Without that arbitrary limit the article might never end, and I do have a tendency to go on... and on.

So here I go. These ten are for you, PSPs. You are admirable in my humble opinion because:

1. PSPs are self sacrificing. Something I encounter over and over when I speak with PSPs is the challenge many face balancing a healthy home and personal life with their work responsibilities. When the sump pump has failed at 9pm and the House Manager is on a first date night he or she has had in a year, often work will trump the date and an explanation be made. The date either understands or does not, but it must be incredibly difficult for the employee.

   
   

2. You are curious. Some of the most intellectually curious people I have had the pleasure of meeting in my own career are people who work in Private Service. For me, curiosity is one of the most important hallmarks of intelligence. Each workday represents an opportunity to learn something new, whether it involves a new shipment of prized Burgundies or the installation of a Matisse--beguiling with beautiful blues.

   
   

3. You are the Renaissance men and women of today. Your skill sets are decidedly multi-disciplinary, ranging from rebooting the latest smart home system to maintenance of a green roof and so much more. I always learn something from someone who works in the field, and so I look forward to interviews since they represent unique learning opportunities for me.

   
   

4. You combat and hopefully overcome the loneliness that can come with the job. Depending on the size of the home and how it is staffed, working as a PSP can be incredibly isolating. Yes you meet regularly with vendors and your principals if they are in residence, but it is difficult to connect with peers. I always try to cultivate a sense of community by making PSP introductions so that they are given the opportunity to broaden their own networks and minimize the loneliness that can creep into some days.

   
   

5. You are not afraid of responsibility. I think few people fully comprehend the scale of responsibility a PSP assumes when they accept a position with a family. While some say the primary responsibility of a PSP is to make sure the beds are made, toilets are cleaned, and dinner is served on a daily basis, I find that the characterization underestimates and misrepresents much of what a PSP does. As I see it, a PSP takes on responsibility for the safety and security of the family. This is their primary role. Let us not underestimate the significance of that role. It involves everything from developing fire plans to making sure that the staff know what to do if a criminal tries to force their way into the household. Call me crazy, but I prioritize over such things as the basics of bed making. If the beds are not getting made, the “expected stuff” is not getting done.

   
   

6. You are compassionate. I have seen how PSPs respond to occasions when a family member or work colleague falls ill or dies. They feel sorrow. It reaches in to their bones. I have seen it, and each time I have been moved by what I saw. I am always reminding PSPs to never confuse their position with being a member of the family, but humans are humans. Like it or not, we build relationships with our employers that run much deeper than, let’s say, an accountant’s relationship with their manager. Although, I may very well be wrong about that. Please take no offence accountants of the world. I love you too! Consider it pre-emptive love. Oh, and I love my accountant!

   
   

7. You are passionate. I always get such a kick out of the PSP who becomes so excited by every party their employers throw. Each detail of the event becomes the stuff they live and breathe over the course of weeks, and then comes the next event and they get to perform magic all over again.

   
   

8. You have to be uber-polished. Working for high and ultra-high-net-worth families is no simple task. A PSP always represents their employer--on the telephone, at the front door greeting guests, writing emails to vendors, etc. It simply is not okay for a PSP to be sloppily dressed or write carelessly. Everything they do is done knowing they are reflecting the high standards of their employer.

   
   

9. You are “attention to detail” marvels. PSPs have “an eye.” They catch the smallest detail or error before their employers do. They know exactly how a room should look after it has been fully detailed. They know when a painting is askew. They see the early bubbling of paint that indicates a water leak. They are the eyes and ears of their employers. It's a tremendous responsibility and involves constant vigilance.

   
   

10. PSPs are the Stage Managers of a home. There are parallels between what a PSPs and Stage Manager do. Both make sure what happens on the stage or front of house, occurs with seeming perfection. In may be chaos backstage or in the kitchen and things might be on the verge of spinning out of control, but the production itself goes on seamlessly. Now that takes skill!

PSPs might not be created equally, but most of them do a gosh darn good job. Here is the kicker though; PSPs do all this and, selfless professionals they are, frequently do it with little acknowledgement from their employers. This is unfortunate, but it is also the “nature of the beast” and most PSPs understand it.

So, here is my appeal; Employers, if you are reading this, take the time out to thank your staff for a job well done. Your words will be golden and they will not cost a dime. Given this article was prompted by another which focused on trust, I am making the case for employers to trust me on this one. Loyal employees work for appreciative employers.

Scott Munden is President of Portico Inc., specializing in household staffing for ultra-high-net-worth families.

© 2025, Portico Inc.